Empress 1908 0.0 Indigo Gin Review
A gin that pours a deep indigo blue, then turns bright pink the second you add tonic. Yes, really!
Crafted by Victoria Distillers on Vancouver Island, inspired by the grand old Empress Hotel, and now at a true 0.0%.
Bright citrus, a whisper of juniper, and a party trick that gets the whole table leaning in.
First Impressions
The first time you pour Empress 1908 0.0 Indigo Gin, you do a little double take. It comes out of the bottle a deep, moody indigo blue, which is unlike any other non-alcoholic gin on the shelf. That colour comes from butterfly pea flower, a natural botanical, and it is the signature move of the original Empress gin, reborn here with zero alcohol.
The bottle itself is a looker, tall and elegant with that vintage Victoria label. This is a premium spirit from Victoria Distillers on Vancouver Island, inspired by the famous Empress Hotel, and it carries itself that way.
The nose is clean and classic gin. Bright citrus leads, lemon and a little orange peel, with a soft juniper note and a gentle whisper of spice underneath. It smells like a proper gin and tonic waiting to happen.
How it actually tastes
Here is the magic. Pour the indigo over ice, add tonic or a squeeze of citrus, and the whole glass shifts from deep blue to bright pink right in front of you. It is a genuine wow moment, and it never gets old!
Taste-wise it is crisp and citrus-forward, with that light juniper and a soft, dry, slightly peppery finish. On its own it is delicate, so this one really comes alive as a mixer. Built into a tonic it drinks like a clean, refreshing gin and tonic with none of the booze, bright and easy and grown-up.
A Small Ritual I Like
Build it in a big balloon glass over plenty of ice. Pour the indigo first so everyone can watch it, then top with a good tonic and a wide lemon twist, and let the colour do its thing. It is a showstopper at a party, a beautiful non-alcoholic option for a host to offer, and a genuinely elegant drink to hand someone who is skipping the alcohol.
At 49.99 CAD for a 750mL bottle, this sits at the premium end, and it is priced like the special-occasion bottle it is rather than an everyday pour. You are paying for the craft, the botanicals and that unforgettable colour change.
Beautiful. Clever. Properly impressive. Keep it for the nights you want to put on a little show!
Things we like
A true 0.0% ABV gin-inspired spirit, not just under 0.5%.
The colour change: deep indigo to bright pink when you add tonic or citrus, from natural butterfly pea flower.
Crafted by Victoria Distillers on Vancouver Island, inspired by the iconic Empress Hotel.
Bright citrus and soft juniper that build into a clean, refreshing gin and tonic.
A genuinely elegant, showstopping bottle for a host to pour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Empress 1908 0.0 really alcohol-free?
Yes. It is a true 0.0% ABV spirit, not the under 0.5% you see on many non-alcoholic drinks, so it is a solid pick if you are steering clear of even trace amounts of alcohol. As always, if you avoid alcohol for medical reasons, check the label and your own comfort level first.
Why does it change colour?
It is real botanical chemistry, not a gimmick. The indigo colour comes from butterfly pea flower, which reacts to acidity. Add something acidic like tonic water or a squeeze of citrus and the blue shifts to a bright pink, right in the glass. No additives, no food colouring, just the flower doing its thing.
How should I drink it?
It shines as a mixer. Build a non-alcoholic gin and tonic over ice with a lemon twist and watch the colour change, or use it as the base for a zero-proof cocktail. It is delicate on its own, so it is really made to be mixed rather than sipped neat. For a more classic juniper-forward style, the Tanqueray 0.0 is worth a look too.